Mumbai: Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate sparked criticism after claiming that farmers often misuse funds received from agricultural schemes, spending them on engagement ceremonies and weddings instead of their intended purposes. Kokate made the remark on Friday while visiting villages in Nashik district affected by recent unseasonal rain and hailstorms.
While speaking with farmers in Nashik, one of them raised a concern about loan waivers, asking, “Ajit Pawar has said there will be no loan waiver. So will those who regularly repay their loans get any benefit?” In response, Kokate said, “Farmers who repay loans on time should do so. But many simply wait for five to ten years expecting a loan waiver. They take loans but don’t repay them. And when a waiver is granted, is the money used for farming? Do you even invest a rupee in agriculture?”
This isn’t the first time Manikrao Kokate has made a controversial statement about farmers. Earlier, he had stirred debate by saying, “Even beggars these days don’t accept one rupee, but the government offers crop insurance for just one rupee.” The remark had also drawn criticism for being insensitive towards the farming community.
He further questioned how the funds provided under various government schemes such as pipelines, irrigation, and farm ponds are being used. Kokate claimed that instead of spending this money on farming, many farmers use it for personal expenses.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal has demanded Kokate's immediate removal from the cabinet. He stated, “The BJP-led alliance government never misses an opportunity to insult farmers. Minister Kokate has become so intoxicated with power that he continues to make disrespectful remarks against the farming community. After previously comparing farmers to beggars, he has once again insulted them. Kokate should be immediately removed from the cabinet.”
Reacting on social media X, Rohit Pawar posted, “Kokate Saheb, perhaps you are unaware that the loan waiver amount goes directly to the banks, not to the farmers. Spending that money on engagements or weddings isn’t as easy as claiming low income to illegally acquire a flat.”
